Oshiomhole and burden of leadership

And they said unto Moses, because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.”

“And the people murmured against Moses….. and the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger”.

The above explained the burden and challenge of leadership Moses faced in the course of leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. It wasn’t an easy task. I am sure Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is presently in this quagmire. Like Moses, Oshiomhole is on my mind. A misunderstood activist, he is almost becoming a victim of his own creation – One Man, One Vote. A champion of the democratic struggles in Nigeria, a selfless labour leader who sacrificed personal comfort for the common good, he is now being derided over the recent local government election in Edo State.

Like Moses led the children of Israel from bondage, so did Oshiomhole Edo people. He, with others struggled for a democracy that would guarantee Nigerians access to quality education, healthcare and good physical infrastructure. These heroes struggled for a country where every Nigerian would have legitimate means of livelihood. They fought for a country that would enhance the productive capacities of every Nigerian. They fought for a country where every Nigerian will live in dignity.

Oshiomhole is one patriotic Nigerian struggling for a united Nigeria and a society where every vote will count. As a Governor, just as in labour unionism, he is still in the struggle for a society where the will of the people, not godfathers, would be the basis of governance. This is the nature of the society Oshiomhole is fighting for. And he hasn’t betrayed this trust.

Beside Moses, Jesus Christ on my mind. He saved the world but the world rejected him. The world preferred Barabas. Needless to remind us of those miracles God wrought through Moses yet, they complained. Remember the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Isn’t this a resemblance of how Oshiomhole came to Edo politics to rescue us from the political bondage we found ourselves since 1999? And we believed him? And we thanked God? Can we deny this fact?

There is no doubt he meant well for Edo people. He preached One Man, One Vote like a puritan politician. He cannot be governor and the same time be commissioner. He cannot be EDSIEC chairman neither can he pretend to be. He cannot sit in Osadebey Avenue and at the same time in Uromi for the election. He has told us time without number that he cannot rig election for anybody; what shall it profit him?

And so, during and just after the local government elections, some elements best described as criminals, hijacked the political space. Edo State was in their hands before Oshiomhole came in. It was a state where poverty, inequality, under- and unemployment were on the increase. The majority of our youths and graduates were unemployed. But the situation, since Oshiomhole came on board, has since changed. They would be foolish, if they don’t fight back. And so, the opportunity presented itself; late arrival of electoral materials by EDSIEC- they seized it, cashed on it and politicized it.

However, let me quickly remind us that we must not forget the general acknowledgement of the decline of education system in the state before Oshiomhole came. We also know that this decline was partly due to the neglect of the education sector by successive governments at the state and local government levels. And that these politicians who shouted hoax masterminded the coup against Edo people in the past. We must not forget so easily.

Be it in terms of road infrastructure, Oshiomhole opened our eyes. We were in a parlous state but today, there is no local government that has not benefited from Oshiomhole’s road gesture. Some will argue, ‘it’s our collective patrimony’ but don’t forget that some diverted same to private pockets in the past and heavens didn’t fall.

We now see extra lanes being constructed along Uselu, Ugbowo, New Benin, Airport Road, and Akpakpava road. We now see street lights in Ring Road, Sapele Road, Sokponba Road, Siloko Road and the magnificent glittering sight to behold in Five junction. We now see red roofs in our public schools across the 18 local government areas, water in difficult terrains and employment of jobless youths. We’ve not had it so good before and we must do everything possible to sustain this tempo.

In Oshiomhole’s enlightened self interest, he freed the political space and brought governance down from its Olympian height to the ordinary people. Today, anybody can go to Edo State Government House, access the governor, the commissioners and even lead one man protest to Osadebey Avenue.

Even Oshiomhole’s worst critics attest to the fact that we now have a purposeful and visionary leadership in the state. The governor is not oblivious of this fact that except good leadership, the political and economic leaders will be consumed by the rot they have created in the country.

In effect, good governance and improved social and physical infrastructure as well as inclusive political participation, wealth creation and distribution and retooling of our educational facilities as well as conducting a free and fair local government elections are not only needed by Edo people, but some appreciating and encouraging minds can yield more of democratic dividends.

Or else, our political Pharaohs will say of us, “they are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in”. Lest we forget that it was also in this wilderness that the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. This is the burden of leadership and that’s why I sympathise with Oshiomhole.